QUINOA TACO MEAT
Another menu item I could always get behind? Tacos. My family loved crispy tacos with ground beef and lots of salsa. My favorite thing to do was mix in some corn to the filling – I know, classy move. You don’t have to tell me how refined my palate was at 6 years old.
I got the idea for this recipe when I made my Spanish Stuffed Peppers for dinner one night and some of the quinoa spilled over in the pan and got all crispy and delicious while baking – I couldn’t get enough. That was my light bulb moment.
QUINOA TACO MEAT
Amazingly flavorful taco "meat" made with quinoa, smoky seasonings, and salsa! Baked until hot and crispy. A healthy substitute for ground beef (just 9 ingredients)!
PREP TIME
15 minutes
COOK TIME
45 minutes
TOTAL TIME
1 hour
Servings:
6
(1/2-cup servings)
Category: Entree
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Mexican-Inspired, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 1 month
Does it keep? 4-5 Days
Ingredients
US Customary - Metric
QUINOA
1 cup tri-color, white, or red quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth*
3/4 cup water
SEASONINGS
1/2 cup salsa (slightly chunky is best - I love Trader Joe’s brand)
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper
1 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
Instructions
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add rinsed quinoa and toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add vegetable broth and water and bring back to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to low, cover with a secure lid, and cook for 15-25 minutes, or until liquid is completely absorbed. Fluff with a fork, then crack lid and let rest for 10 minutes off heat.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
Add cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients (salsa, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil). Toss to combine. Then spread on a lightly greased (or parchment-lined) baking sheet.
Bake for 20-35 minutes, stirring/tossing once at the halfway point to ensure even baking. The quinoa is done when it's fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn!
This quinoa taco meat goes extremely well in crispy taco shells and soft taco shells, and I also think it would be perfect on nachos, taco salads, tostadas, and in enchiladas. Dream big!
Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave, in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven, or in a skillet on the stovetop.
Notes
*The vegetable broth infuses more flavor into the quinoa. But if you don't have it, just sub water and adjust spices/salsa as needed.